Theft from Hostels

Theft from hostels happens occasionally, and is particularly galling because you know that a fellow budget traveler, who should understand your situation, is most likely the thief.

0 If lockers are available, use them. Be warned, though, that those little locks that are so handy for locking up a backpack are inadequate for this task, and can be easily broken. Also, the key to someone else’s little lock may very well open yours. I found this out when I opened what I thought was my locker and found a nice new camera that definitely wasn’t mine. You can bet that thieves are aware of this fact.

- If lockers are not available, chain your backpack to your bed, a pipe, or something of the like. This will not stop a really determined thief, but it may make him pass up your backpack for another.

- Never leave a money belt, neck bag, or wallet lying around, even for an instant. Do not let these out of your sight, especially in hostels. Leaving one of these unattended among a group of budget travelers is a guarantee that it will be stolen. Wear yours to the bathroom, take it into the shower stall, and when you sleep either keep it on or put it at the bottom of your sleep sack or sleeping bag. My editor, on her first InterRailing trip, actually left her money belt dangling from the end of her bed while sleeping in a 20-bed dorm, thereby donating £100 to a thief. Clearly, she needed First-Time Europel